27. February 2010 by imoomie.

Just got to it…

because it took three false starts to finally get through it.  Lots of hustle and bustle around here.

We laughed ourselves silly and played some parts over and over during the competitive portion.  The Heroes took on the Villains, on a platform over a mud pit, there were two on the platform at a time and they had to knock each other off.  Usually, I hate these kind of challenges, but for some reason this time it was hilarious.

There are Villains surfacing within the Heroes tribe which makes it interesting.  The fact that everyone there has played the game makes it a whole new game. 

Definitely, bumped up a notch. 

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26. February 2010 by imoomie.

 Our family cut back this year…

we only ordered 11 boxes of Girl Scout cookies, trying to be frugal and all.  Ask me how long 8 of those boxes lasted.  Not tellin’, waaaaaay to embarassing.  It’s a scandal, really.

Took a poll around here and Samoas came in first, with Thin Mints placing second and Tagalongs, appropriately named, coming in third place.

My friend, Jill and I, were discussing how quickly a sleeve of Thin Mints can disappear.   They just kind of poof into thin air, that maybe where they got their name.  Get it, Thin Mint, thin air.  Ha-Ha, he, hmm.

What about Samoas, makes you think some-more-a’s.  As in, do you want some more-a?  That’s our problem…it’s the marketing.

Do tell me which is your favorite…

We’re having a party with Patty over at Blessed Moon. Please be sure to stop by and say hey!

Posted in Silly | 6 Comments »

25. February 2010 by imoomie.

At the gas station today the strangest thing happened…

I hope I can retell this in a way that conveys how strange it really was, and that I won’t tell the whole thing only to find out that it was one of those situations that you really had to be there for.

My oldest daughter and I pulled up to the pump, I got out to pump the gas while she waited in the car.  A young man pulled up to the pump kitty corner from me.  I glanced over and he was reading his bible while he pumped gas. He came after me and left before me so he really wasn’t there long.  Yet, in the few short moments, he felt inclined to pull out his bible and read.

I truly do not say this with a judgemental tone…but, really, what do you think that was about?  I don’t consider that an everyday occurrence.  My curiosity is killing me!

Was he on his way to bible study and felt frantic to finish before he arrived there?

Is he reading through the bible in a year and wanted to get his allotted reading done?

Is he so crazy in love with God that he can’t get enough of Him?

Was his day so difficult that it was his lifeline?

Was he trying to make the curious lady crazy?  Curious enough to ask so he could lead her to Christ?

Was he a brand new christian that wanted everyone to know he is a follower?

So, I get back in the car and I ask my daughter, “Did you see that?”

She said, “Yay, did you see those three guys?”

I said, “What three guys, I am talking about the guy over here reading his bible while he pumped gas.”

She tells me that 3 guys came out of the mini mart acting jumpy, paranoid and suspicious.  That one of them caught her eye and she quickly looked away.  She was in the process of writing down their license plate, just in case.

Call it nervous energy, or curiosity overload, but I began to laugh me head off!  It just struck me so funny that we were both essentially in the same place, having strange experiences and they were both so different.

Do you think that maybe that boy who was reading his bible, diverted the danger that may have come from the 3 jumpy boys?

Why maybe that boy saved my very life…a strange tale indeed.

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23. February 2010 by imoomie.

My older brother often says to me…

if we know anything for sure it is that things are going to change.  We may have our outlines, our mental notes, our plans and as our days march along one by one we grasp more internally why the senior saints are prone to the saying, “The Lord willing, I will do such and such tomorrow.”

This weekend while at an all day horse show, I experienced one of those blips of milliseconds where what your eyes are seeing unfold in front of you and what your brain can accept as real, hang in the balance.

Towards the end of the day while the hunter jumper portion of the show was in progress, (this means the riders were jumping their horses over fences), one rider’s plans changed abruptly.

She was having a great run of it, and had just placed second in her class when she approached the railing after the class and told her trainer that she thought she was done for the day.  That she felt her horse was done and that things were going to start to fall apart.

I stood there as her trainer and friends (and me) said something to the effect of …what do you mean, your doing great out there.  You just placed second. 

This is painful, but I even joked with her friend that if she did drop the class my daughter would move up a spot, so maybe I shouldn’t be trying to talk her into staying.  There was not one serious bone in my body.  I am not competitive…but still I  said it.

Now, I just want to take a moment to say that this story does not end in tragedy, but I was reminded of a few important, even crucial life lessons.  Keep reading and I will tell you what I mean.

After confering with her trainer she entered her next class and finished her course in a beautiful fashion, she proceeded to make the last circle before you halt.  This denotes that you have finished.  As she rounded this circle, in a blink of an eye, her horse lost his footing and fell onto his side.  When her horse stood up and she still had the reins in her hand, everyone hollered, just let go, just let go…then we realized that she was unconscious.

It felt like she was unconscious, forever, really it did.  Her body was twisted in an awkward position, which was so unnerving, but we found out later that it wasn’t due to injury but because when she passed out she became limp like a rag doll.

So walk with me on this, what do you think went through my head in those moments?  Life changes so quickly, two seconds ago, she was at the top of her game.

God gives us instinct for a reason and sometimes we need to hear it louder than the voices here on earth.

My words, I was irresponsible in handing them out.  My words need to be few.  Who was I to convince her to continue?  Was my joke necessary or could I have regretted those words even longer than I already do?  I felt it burn in my being, as if I had slammed into a brick wall.  I felt laden with shame. 

God knows my heart, He knows I was kidding, He knew I did not mean harm but through this experience I will watch my words.  I will still plan, but I will be open to the truth that His plans are not mine.  I will not live in fear, but I will consider that I may not have all the time I think I do.  I pray that with His help, I will be better for this reminder and that I will grow in wisdom.

Over at Emily’s blog home where she is the most gracious of hostesses, we are sharing the lovely, the messy and the unexpected…

Posted in Tuesdays Unwrapped, Serious | 2 Comments »

22. February 2010 by imoomie.

I can’t believe it…

this is my 100th post.  It seems like a marker that is worth a moment’s notice, for me at least.  One hundred posts represents 6 months in my time or 3 1/2 in dog years. 

My blog baby is growing up and just like the real life ”babies” I walk through my days with at home…it is fun to glance back at all that has transpired while at the same time trying not to buckle under all that has not yet come to pass.

There is so much I still do not get about this blog world, such as how to get Google friend followers that you can display on your side bar.   I mean, I just want to know in case I ever get a sidebar.  I am shell shocked by those that know how to design their own pages and unsure of where to start to find someone to help me personalize mine.

How does that whole commenter thing work?  So many stop by and say nothing, why is that?  I respect their silence, but am I missing something?  If someone does comment, how do you appropriately comment back…thanks to Kala at http://amatterofhowyouseeit.com/ and Patty at http://blessedmoon.squarespace.com/, I understand this process a little better.

(Try not to notice that I don’t know how to have the name underlined in blue, so you can just click on the name and it links you to the site…baby steps.)

What I do know though is that it fills me up, this little blog baby.  This place I come, a corner with a comfy chair where I can translate what is bouncing around in my brain.  Where I find unforeseen clarity and wipe my mental slate clean (lucky you). 

Within this Cyber neighborhood, I am better for “knowing” those I find here.   I am exposed to bundles of inspiration and answers, I enjoy the sharing of common joys and struggles.  Hmmm, I humbly reflect.

 Happy 100th post, Little baby blog.

Posted in Serious, Silly | 5 Comments »

20. February 2010 by imoomie.

I know not everyone is a fan so I will keep it brief. 

I experienced a self imposed trauma Thursday night when I checked my TIVO and Survivor was not there waiting for me.  It was like being stood up for an appointment that had been anticipated for a week.

I was not happy, so not happy that I felt the need to say it out loud to anyone who would listen.  Blush…childish I know.

My frown was quickly turned upside down when I realized that on the Internet where you can find anything and everything (gasp), CBS has posted Episode 2 in it’s entirety.

So, I was able to watch Survivor last night and I have one thing to say.

It was gooooood, so good!

Posted in Silly | 1 Comment »

19. February 2010 by imoomie.

Could it be…

that when God made me, He hid a solar panel in my head?

The last couple days, the sun has been out and by golly, I feel like the Energizer Bunny.

Everything is brighter, literally…I have felt balanced, like all is not just well, but beautiful!

I drive along, (you’ve read about the driving, right?) and notice the sun shining through the bare, gnarled trees.  It is gorgeous and intriguing.  Since it isn’t possible (or wise) to take pictures while I drive I capture snapshots in my mind and store them away for other, less joyous days.

Winter is far from over, but I’ll take and revel in this little taste of spring.  I can’t really help but soak it all in, you know, with that panel in my head and all.

Posted in Silly | 3 Comments »

16. February 2010 by imoomie.

I never really got…

the whole “Mom’s Taxi” saying I saw printed on license plate covers when my kid’s were younger.  Now that they are active and on the move (you know who’s moving them, right?) I have a newfound appreciation for the term.  By golly, I am fixin’ to bypass the license plate cover at this point and order full size magnetic panels for my van.

In days of old, I would have quiet time every day at 3pm.  During that time I would sit down with a cup of coffee, read a book or work on my bible study, perhaps treat myself to a nap. It was about taking a moment to breathe, think, process.  It just made me a better wife, mom and friend.

Since we have hit this season of movement, guess where I am everyday at 3pm?  Yep, driving, driving…driving.  It has been a difficult adjustment because a little part of me feels like the quiet moments I so enjoyed have been riped off .  Frankly, it just made me cranky.

With the New Year came the realization that I had reached a truce.  My attitude was shifting and over the winter break surprisingly,  I missed the peace that comes when I am driving. 

I have taken my quiet time to the car.  I take a cup of coffee, I enjoy time listening to my kids share what’s on their minds and after I drop them off, I turn on the radio and sing and worship. There is a sense of stillness, although the nap is out, for obvious reasons.

YES!  I am adaptable! It did take a little while though…

We’re sharing our truces with Emily over at…

Posted in Tuesdays Unwrapped | 7 Comments »

14. February 2010 by imoomie.

Whether it is a year of sweet things

such as chocolates and flowers

 or a quieter year

full of priceless moments

that money can’t buy…

may your heart

be full  to overflowing

with love and contentness

and on this day

I pray you feel

incredibly, undeniably

loved.

Blessings to you and yours…imoomie

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

13. February 2010 by imoomie.

Seriously, I know this is silly but…

The 20th season of Survivor is going to be soooo grand.

Talk about stellar, bringing together these seasoned players is brilliant!  A blend of people that have played the game before, some multiple times.  I would say they know the game of Survivor!  Grand, I say, it’s going to be g-r-a-n-d.

I’m pretty much, it’s safe to say, a Survivor fanatic.  I have other shows I like but probably if I had to pick just one show, this would be it.

I also have dreams and aspirations about being a contestant. While I am hesitant to ever agree to be away from my family for such a stretch of time, there are days when I am convinced that surely I am well equipped to brave the show. In fact, perhaps it would be like a vacation compared to everyday life.

Recently, something happened…it was after 1:00am in the morning and one of the kids needed something.  My husband was up and on the situation while I was three sheets to the wind.  Gone was the “Commando Mom” in me that could snap to attention and hit the ground running. 

As I lay there in a groggy state I realized my Survivor dreams were shattered.  If my Mommy turbo boost is sluggish what would motivate me on an island full of strangers? 

No worries, I switched gears and actively began recruiting members of my family and almost family to try to get on the show.  The catch, I so better be the family member that gets to come to the island to visit.

Here is some extra footage from the 1st tribal council…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEkb-0tt4e4

Uh-huh, grand.

Posted in Serious, Silly | 2 Comments »